By Ciaran Woods
c.woods@gaeliclife.com
With the National League getting underway this weekend, we take a look at the prospects of the Ulster counties in the weeks ahead.
Antrim
A much-improved showing by Antrim last season raised hopes that they could finally be ready to deliver on their potential. Unfortunately they fell foul of Derry in the championship, but they had a structure and sense of purpose which had been sorely missing in recent years. Even at that, it was a case of the senior squad going it alone. The biggest need in the Saffron county is the sort of support systems that are essential for success. Players like Claire Timoney have shown through their exploits with Ulster that they have the ability to mix it with the best in the country, so the structures need be put in place to allow them to flourish. A solid National League is a must, as building momentum is the key to their success later in the campaign. If they get it right, then Antrim could make a real impression at junior level, but only if club loyalties are set aside for the good of the county.
Armagh
Last year proved to be a huge disappointment for the Orchard girls, exiting the first round of the Ulster championship to Donegal. It's a long way from their All-Ireland final appearance just two years previously. The capture of Gregory McGonigle as manager is a massive coup and he could be the man to lead them back to those dizzy heights once again. They have retained the services of the vast majority of their squad, bolstered by the addition of some of last year's Ulster 'B' winning minor side, so it's a strong panel the Derry man has at his disposal. A number of sides wanted McGonigle to lead their charge and with such a proven track record of success at college, club and inter-provincial level, he's sure to be a big hit. The Orchard girls were first out of the blocks in terms of their preparations and have been going flat out in a bid to hit the ground running. That should stand to them later in the year and they will not be far from the reckoning for silverware on all fronts.
Cavan
Missed out on the Ulster intermediate title last season with a replay loss to Fermanagh and lost out at the All-Ireland stages. Last year their cause was hindered by the withdrawal of players from the squad to spend the summer in the US. The Breffni side will be hoping they can keep their panel together through the summer, but the lure of the States could once again prove to be just too strong. They have a dogged determination combined with flair and exuberance and there's no doubting that they're one of the best teams in the intermediate grade. Their young squad is coming of age, but on the other hand time is running out for them to make a breakthrough. It's a massive year for Cavan, but first they have to overcome Fermanagh.
Derry
It was a case of so near yet so far for Derry in 2008. Under Pearse McCallan and Mary-Jo Boyle, they made it all the way to Croke Park and the All-Ireland junior final. Unfortunately for them, they came up against a formidable London outfit. It was a bitterly disappointing end to what had been a very successful year for the Oak Leaf side, who now have a very definite platform to build on in 2009. For once Derry fielded a side which was totally committed to the cause. They were united, with a common sense of purpose and their achievements last year should prove that if they can raise the bar another notch then they will once again be very much in the mix for the All-Ireland crown. Their young players will have learnt a huge amount from last year's exploits and will come back stronger as a result. They have retained the services of their managerial duo, so the stability brought by that should help Derry's cause and they were quickly back in action with trials and preparations for the year to come. Another big push, a few new faces to strengthen the squad and Derry can be All-Ireland champions.
Donegal
Having retained their senior status, Donegal can now look ahead to another season of top-flight football in 2009. Their relegation play-off win over Meath ensured they would take part in the senior championship this summer and Donegal could prove to be a surprise packet. In truth, relegation should never have been on the agenda. They toppled reigning Ulster champions Armagh in the first round of the championship and only missed out by the narrowest of margins to eventual All-Ireland finalists Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final. All of this after reaching the final of Division Two of the National League. The side which saw off Meath in November was a very youthful one, their numbers bolstered by the addition of players from Moville. The performance of the Moville girls in the Ulster Club, when they almost saw off Donaghmoyne in the Ulster final and lost out in a replay, is another reason why Donegal should be optimistic about their chances. Immediately following their play-off win they started to put plans in place for 2009, the players following training and weights schedules throughout December in a bid to be ready for what lies ahead. They have shown that they're more than capable of taking a scalp or two and a return to the Ulster senior final is a definite possibility.
Down
It was a long time coming, but Down laid claim to their first senior championship win in 2008 and now look to build on that victory as they gear up for 2009. They had Tyrone on the ropes for long periods of their opening Ulster championship clash, showing that they can mix it at senior level. They took great pride from their televised games last year which boosted the profile of the Mourne county no end, so much so that Michaela Downey claimed an All-star award for her exploits. They have a very formidable side, packed with quality and a high level of physical presence to trouble opponents. Like many of their counterparts, Down need to find a system of play which brings the best out of the players they have at their disposal. The likes of Michaela and Aoibheann Downey and their namesake Eliza, Sonya McGaw, Lisa Morgan and Emma Mulhern are among the best in the business and they will central once again in 2009. Last year, Down were unbeaten in the National League and only missed out on promotion to division one by a single point. That will be their first aim of the new season, with what they hope will be a successful Ulster championship campaign to follow. A final appearance is certainly not out of their reach and at least one team will be toppled by the Mourne girls.
Fermanagh
A first ever adult title at provincial level means that Fermanagh have a great starting point as they continue their rise to prominence in 2009. They claimed their first Ulster intermediate crown last year, showing great character to see off Cavan in a replayed provincial final. Unfortunately they weren't able to follow that up on the All-Ireland stage, but there's no denying the giant strides forward Fermanagh have made over the last two years under the guidance of Paula Cunningham. It seems certain that Fermanagh can repeat their provincial title-winning feat in 2009 and with an extra year of experience behind them they are ready to mount a serious challenge not only for National League honours, but also on the All-Ireland intermediate stage. It's a key point in the progression of the county as a footballing force and it's crucial that they now take things up another level as the danger is that they could easily slip backwards. They won't let that happen and the Erne girls could well be gracing Croke Park in September.
Monaghan
A return visit to their stomping ground of yore last September may not have reaped the rewards they would have hoped, but Monaghan can still take huge heart from what they achieved last year. They defied the notion that they were a team in decline by reaching another All-Ireland final and although they fell to the mighty Rebelettes on the day, their achievements will have given the Farney girls fresh belief that the All-Ireland is within their grasp. On their way to the final they beat Donegal and Tyrone in Ulster, before taking care of a strong Mayo outfit in the semi-final. They proved that they're still one of the best sides in the country and can be part of the final shake-up again in 2009 if they get things together. One concern may be the fact that they had to go back to the past for the likes of Edel Byrne to lead them, but if they commit for another year then they'll be a force to be reckoned with. They continue to produce good young players with a winning mentality and with Emyvale and Donaghmoyne dominant forces on the provincial and All-Ireland club scene, the future is bright. The likes of the McAnespie twins, Grainne McNally and Nicola Fahy will only be better with another year of experience behind them. As one of the strongest, toughest and most talented teams in the country Monaghan will be very much a force to be reckoned with, providing stern opposition to anyone they come up against.
Tyrone
A turbulent close-season has left the Red Hands playing catch-up ahead of the start of the National League. Last year's boss Michaela O'Neill opted to vacate the hot seat. It has proven difficult to find a replacement. It's disappointing for a Tyrone side who showed great promise last year but who, in their two toughest tests, failed to deliver. They fell heavily to Monaghan in the Ulster final and although they handed out a thumping to Dublin in the last eight, they proved no match for Cork in the semis. In terms of the facts, they therefore made no progress from the previous year, but their performances were much improved. Once again they had to settle for the role of bridesmaids, but Tyrone are not far off the mark. Bear in mind that Tyrone have laid claim to the last two Ulster minor titles, with last year's minors reaching the All-Ireland final, while the county continues to contribute heavily to successful college teams and to the provincial squad and it's clear to see that they have the quality at their disposal to mount a serious challenge. What they need now is confidence, on-field organisation and the structured approach necessary to win trophies.
Poly take Freshers spoils
Jordanstown claimed their first silverware of 2009 when they won the All Ireland fresher's sevens in Athlone last Friday. In an exciting final they had five points to spare over DCU 5-5 to 2-9. A total of eleven universities and colleges took part. In the Plate final WIT beat UCD reserves 2-7 to 0-1 while UCD had just apoint to spare over NUIG in the Shield decider. The Dublin outfit won 2-6 to 2-5.
The successful Poly squad were: Sinead McVey, Laura McGillian, Roisin Rafferty (Capt.), Christiane Hunter, Eadoin Devine, Lisa Knox, Caoimhe Murray, Naomi McMullan, Cathy Carey and Natasha Daryie.
Referees put through their paces
Despite the frosty weather conditions, 23 referees from the province underwent a fitness test and rules seminar at St Ciaran's, Ballygawley on Saturday last. Whistlers from all Ulster counties, bar Antrim, were present. National President Geraldine Giles was in attendance and was particularly interested in the views of the referees in respect of assessments of referees. All present underwent a bleep test and agility run however the 45m sprint was postponed owing to the frosty ground. The day was facilitated by National Development Officer Paula Prunty, Ulster RDO Sheena Tally and Croke Park staff Eileen Jones and Lyn Savage.
Making the link
The links section of the hugely-popular Ulster ladies website gives counties and clubs the opportunity to have a direct link from the Ulster ladies website to yours. This is an ideal way of letting people know what is going on in your club or county and can offer great avenues for advertising your club sponsors and supporters. So whether your club has just set up its own website or if your county's website has been in existence for years why not apply to link with www.ulsterladiesgaelic.com. Simply contact Sheena at sheenatally@ladiesgaelic.ie for more information.
